Heir To Glengyle

‘And you’re sure you’re willing to sacrifice them? Amy, you’re very sweet,’ he said softly.

‘Not at all,’ she returned in a brisk manner. ‘It’s just that I wouldn’t take anything to her unless it was something that I myself really liked.’

When they reached home Amy led the way towards the lounge, but at the doorway an exclamation of dismay escaped her. ‘Oh, dear—they’ve gone!’ she cried. ‘Where can they be? And look—the window has been left slightly open. Do you think they could’ve been lifted through—?’

‘That’s hardly likely, in broad daylight,’ Baird pointed out. ‘Perhaps Elspeth has moved them.’ He put his arms about Amy, drawing her close to him in an effort to comfort her, then produced a clean handkerchief to wipe a tear that had appeared on her cheek.

‘Do you usually leave windows open when you go out?’ Cathie asked.

‘No, never. And Elspeth is always so careful,’ Amy said.

Watching Baird, Cathie felt moved by his sympathy towards the older woman. The fact that he really cared for Amy became emphasised in her mind, and not for the first time she wished that his underlying antagonism towards herself could be wiped away.

He looked at her across the top of Amy’s head. ‘I think a cup of tea would be a help. Would you make one while we search in the other rooms?’

‘Yes, of course.’ She went to the kitchen where the recollection of his attentions to his stepgrandmother remained with her, and as she filled the electric kettle she visualised them walking through the rooms, his arm still about Amy’s shoulders.